Yankees and Devil-Less Rays get into a tiny fight

You can say there is some bad blood between the Yankees and the Devil-Less Rays following a home-plate collision between Yankee catcher Francisco Cervelli and Rays infielder Elliott Johnson on Saturday which resulted in a broken wrist for Cervelli. (He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday) A move that prompted Joe Girardi to criticize the Rays for playing too hard during a spring training game.

Then again saying some bad blood is understating it. Fast forward a couple of days to first inning of Wednesday's game between the two teams when Yankees pitcher Heath Phillips got tossed for hitting Rays third baseman Evan Longaria. Just an inning later, the claws really came out when Yankee infielder Shelley Duncan came barrelling around first heading to second after getting a single off of Longoria's glove. Duncan lowered himself and slid spikes first into an area of second baseman Akinonori Iwamura that he'd probably like to protect.

Of course benches then cleared and out came Johnny Gomes trying to take out Shelley.

And when was all said and done, five players and coaches had been ejected including Duncan and Gomes. As of now, the teams are still playing. But we'll update you on the score.

My only question, is it really a brawl if no one throws a punch?

(Photos:AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar; source)

It's been fun blogging with you,

Kate